A Century of Visionaries
1916Founding Era
Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV
Krishna Raja Wadiyar IVMaharaja of Mysore
Sir M. Visvesvaraya
Sir M. VisvesvarayaDiwan of Mysore
S.G. Shastry
S.G. ShastryThe Soap Shastry
2026Today
Shri Siddaramaiah
Shri SiddaramaiahChief Minister, Karnataka
Shri D.K. Shivakumar
Shri D.K. ShivakumarDeputy Chief Minister
Dr. M.B. Patil
Dr. M.B. PatilMinister, Industries
Shri C.S. Nadagouda
Shri C.S. NadagoudaChairman, KSDL
Dr. PKM Prashanth
Dr. PKM PrashanthManaging Director, KSDL
Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited · Est. 1916

India's Only Soap Made With
100% Natural Sandalwood Oil

The world's only soap from 100% pure East Indian Sandalwood Oil

Distilled at KSDL's own facilities. Protected by a Geographical Indication tag since 2006. A Maharaja's vision, trusted by millions for over a century.

109+
Years of Heritage
₹2,016 Cr
FY 2025-26 Turnover
100+
Premium Products
Scroll to Explore
Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited

Crafting Purity Since 1916

Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited is the maker of India's most iconic soap - a legacy born from royal vision and nurtured by over a century of unwavering commitment to purity.

We are the world's only soap manufacturer using 100% pure East Indian Sandalwood Oil, distilled at our own facilities. Every bar carries the heritage of Mysore's sandalwood forests and the craftsmanship of generations.

A Century of Trust

Over 109 years of heritage, protected by a GI tag since 2006.

100% Pure Sandalwood

The sole soap in the world made with real, undiluted sandalwood oil.

Government Enterprise

A Karnataka Government PSU with 100+ products across categories.

Mysore Sandal Soap
Since 1916100% Pure Sandalwood Oil
Our Legacy
A Royal Heritage Reimagined
From the sandalwood forests of Mysore to homes across the world - a story of vision, craftsmanship, and enduring quality.
The Royal Palace of Mysore - Where the legacy was born
1916

Where the Legacy Was Born

The Royal Palace of Mysore

The story of Mysore Sandal Soap begins in 1916 during the First World War. When global trade routes were disrupted, the Mysore Kingdom found itself with an abundance of its most prized natural resource - sandalwood. Maharaja Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV transformed this challenge into a national treasure.

They established the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory and enlisted Sosale Garalapuri Shastry - later celebrated as "Soap Shastry" - a chemist trained in England. By 1918, the first bar was launched, crafted with 100% pure sandalwood oil blended with Vetivert, Patchouli, Geranium, Palm Rosa, Orange, and Petitgrain.

In 1980, the factory was restructured into Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). The company chose Sharabha - a mythological creature - as its logo. In 2006, the soap received the prestigious GI tag. Today, KSDL manufactures 100+ premium products with plans to reach ₹5,000 crore by 2030.

Journey Through Time
Key Milestones
Over a century of innovation, growth, and commitment to quality.
1916

The Beginning

Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV & S.G. Shastry establish the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory and Soap Factory.

1918

First Bar Launched

First Mysore Sandal Soap presented to the Maharaja - made with 100% pure sandalwood oil.

1944

Second Plant

Sandalwood oil extraction plant established at Shivamogga - expanding production capacity.

1965

Going Global

International exports begin - Europe, USA, Middle East. India's fragrance reaches the world.

1980

Launched as KSDL

Restructured as Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited. Sharabha - the mythological creature - becomes the logo.

2006

GI Tag Awarded

Geographical Indication tag protects authenticity.

2012

Millennium Soap

Mysore Sandal Millennium Soap was positioned as India's most expensive soap.

2025

Record Year

₹2,016 Cr turnover. ₹507 Cr profit. 48,494 MT production. All-time highs across every metric.

2026

The New Era

Tamannaah Bhatia signed as brand ambassador. Packaging refreshed with a contemporary design. ₹2,000 Cr milestone crossed - next target ₹5,000 Cr by 2030.

1916

The Beginning

Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV & S.G. Shastry establish the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory and Soap Factory.

1918

First Bar Launched

First Mysore Sandal Soap presented to the Maharaja - made with 100% pure sandalwood oil.

1944

Second Plant

Sandalwood oil extraction plant established at Shivamogga - expanding production capacity.

1965

Going Global

International exports begin - Europe, USA, Middle East. India's fragrance reaches the world.

1980

Launched as KSDL

Restructured as Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited. Sharabha - the mythological creature - becomes the logo.

2006

GI Tag Awarded

Geographical Indication tag protects authenticity.

2012

Millennium Soap

Mysore Sandal Millennium Soap was positioned as India's most expensive soap.

2025

Record Year

₹2,016 Cr turnover. ₹507 Cr profit. 48,494 MT production. All-time highs across every metric.

2026

The New Era

Tamannaah Bhatia signed as brand ambassador. Packaging refreshed with a contemporary design. ₹2,000 Cr milestone crossed - next target ₹5,000 Cr by 2030.

1916 - 1944Royal Foundation
1965 - 2006Growth & Recognition
2017 - 2026Modern Transformation
Product Portfolio
100+ Premium Products
From the flagship to modern shower gels and perfumes - natural, chemical-free products.
Soaps
Mysore Sandal Soap

Mysore Sandal Soap

The iconic flagship - crafted with 100% pure East Indian Sandalwood Oil. Available in 17g, 75g, and 150g. GI tagged since 2006.

View on Official Site
Manufacturing & Infrastructure
World-Class Production
Three operational units with two more planned - powering India's most iconic soap brand.
Soap & Cosmetics Manufacturing

Soap & Cosmetics

Bengaluru, Mysuru & Shivamogga

Sandalwood Oil Distillation

Liquid Gold

Sandalwood Oil Distillation

48,494 MT/Year
4,895 MT Record
15,000 MT Planned

Bengaluru

Operational
Est. 1916 · Head Office - Rajajinagar

Largest facility. 26,000+ tonnes capacity. Soap, detergent, cosmetics. Three-shift system.

Mysuru

Operational
Est. 1916 · Sandalwood Oil Division

"Liquid Gold" distillation. Exports to Europe, USA, UAE, Russia, Germany.

Shivamogga

Operational
Est. 1944 · Oil Extraction Plant

Second extraction plant. Plans for commercial complexes, hotels, convention halls.

Vijayapura

Upcoming
Est. 2026 · New Manufacturing Hub

Dabaspete

Upcoming
Est. 2026 · Modern Soap Plant
Growth & Performance
Record-Breaking Financial Growth
Four years of compounding growth. Profit up 2.8x. Turnover up 79%. Dividend at an all-time high.
FY 2022-23
Operating Costs83.9%
Retained Profit11.3%
Dividend4.9%
1,127Cr
Turnover
182Cr
Net Profit
54.7Cr
Dividend
FY 2023-24
Operating Costs76.9%
Retained Profit16.2%
Dividend6.9%
1,570Cr
Turnover
362Cr
Net Profit
108Cr
Dividend
+39% YoY revenue
Record Dividend
FY 2024-25
Operating Costs73.5%
Retained Profit18.6%
Dividend7.9%
1,700Cr
Turnover
451Cr
Net Profit
135Cr
Dividend
+8% YoY revenue
All-Time High
FY 2025-26
Operating Costs74.9%
Retained Profit17.7%
Dividend7.4%
2,016Cr
Turnover
507Cr
Net Profit
150Cr
Dividend
+19% YoY revenue
Global Recognition & Honours
Global Accolades
Decades of recognition for quality and excellence.
🏅

GI Tag

Mysore Sandal Soap & Oil

2006
📜

ISO 9001:2000

Quality management

1999
🌿

ISO 14001:2004

Environmental management

2000
🏆

State Export Award

Excellence in Exports

1974-75 & 2006-07
💎

ICWA National Award

Cost Management

2007-08

CM's Rathna Award

Industrial contribution

2009-10 & 2012
🥇

Chem Excel Award

Export excellence

2009
🏛️

3rd in PSU Dividends

21st → 3rd in Karnataka

2024-25
Corporate Social Responsibility
Giving Back to Sandalwood Trees
Focused on sandalwood conservation, rural livelihoods, and community welfare across Karnataka.
01

Rural Employment

Agarbathi and dhoop production outsourced to rural artisans and women self-help groups. Nagachampa Agarbathis sales have grown significantly through this initiative.

02

Environmental Stewardship

ISO 14001 certified since 2000. Conservation of energy, surroundings, and resources. Sandalwood plantations maintained across 42+ acres in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Shivamogga.

03

Education & Healthcare

CSR Trust funds education, vocational training, and healthcare for underprivileged communities near Bengaluru, Mysore, and Shivamogga manufacturing units. Special focus on women and children.

04

Community Development

Contributions to Swachh Bharat, safe drinking water, rural infrastructure, slum area development, disaster management, and PM National Relief Fund as per CSR Policy under Section 135.

100%CSR Obligation Fulfilled
KSDL CSR TrustImplementing Agency
Blog & Insights
Stories of Sandalwood
Heritage stories, expert articles, and industry insights.
Tamannaah Bhatia, Brand Ambassador of Mysuru Sandal
Brand Ambassador

Tamannaah Bhatia is the New Face of Mysuru Sandal

A two-year campaign reintroduces the iconic soap to a new generation.

Royal Palace of Mysore - 110 years of heritage
Milestone

₹2,016 Cr Turnover: A First in 110 Years

Record revenue and ₹507 Cr net profit cap a transformative year.

Vijayapura manufacturing unit
Expansion

₹227 Cr Vijayapura Plant Cleared

Cabinet greenlights a new 50-acre manufacturing unit in North Karnataka.

Refreshed Mysuru Sandal Soap packaging
Relaunch

Mysuru Sandal Soap Gets a Refreshed Avatar

Heritage formula meets contemporary packaging for a new century.

KSDL product portfolio
Innovation

60 New Products Take on the Multinationals

Personal care and home care launches expand KSDL’s portfolio to 94.

Sandalwood oil - liquid gold of Mysore
Vision

Vision 2030: The Road to ₹5,000 Cr

Global markets, 50+ countries, and a redefined product strategy.

Events
Connecting with Communities
Feb
10
2026

Soap Relaunch & Ambassador Inauguration

Contemporary redesign. Campaigns released.

Completed
Oct
24
2025

₹135 Cr Dividend - Vidhana Soudha

Record cheque to CM Siddaramaiah.

Completed
2025
-

Soap Melas - District Headquarters

Tumakuru, Davangere. 10% discount.

Completed
2026
-

International Trade Shows

Europe & West Asia. NRI outreach.

Upcoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything About Mysore Sandal
Answers to common questions about KSDL, our products, and heritage.

Mysore Sandal Soap is the only soap in the world made with 100% pure East Indian Sandalwood Oil, distilled at KSDL's own facilities in Mysuru. It has been crafted with this authentic formulation since 1918 and is protected by a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2006.

Yes. All Mysore Sandal soaps are made from 100% vegetable-origin ingredients and are completely free from animal fats. KSDL does not test on animals.

The Geographical Indication (GI) tag, awarded in 2006, certifies that Mysore Sandal Soap and Mysore Sandalwood Oil are authentic products originating from Karnataka. It protects against counterfeits and guarantees the use of genuine pure sandalwood oil.

Authentic products are available at KSDL authorized retailers across India, KSDL branch offices in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and New Delhi, as well as through the official KSDL website. Look for the GI tag and Sharabha logo to verify authenticity.

KSDL manufactures 100+ products including soaps (Mysore Sandal, Gold, Millennium, Baby), shower gels, perfumes, agarbathis, dhoop sticks, detergents (Point Advance, Kleenol), talcum powder, kajal, and hand wash. New products like scented candles and face wash are in the pipeline.

KSDL (Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited) is a Government of Karnataka public sector undertaking, established in 1980. The company's origins date back to 1916 when Maharaja Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV founded the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory.

Yes. KSDL exports to 11+ countries including the United States, United Kingdom, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia. The export target is ₹150 Cr annually.

It is KSDL's flagship CSR initiative partnering with 670 farmers across 3,586 acres in North Karnataka (Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag) for commercial sandalwood cultivation under a "share and prosper" model. Farmers can earn ₹30,000-50,000 per mature tree.

Get In Touch

We'd Love to Hear From You

Whether you have a business inquiry, product question, or partnership proposal - reach out to us.

Email

promysoresandal@gmail.com

Phone

1800-425-1103

Head Office

#27, P.B. 5531, Rajajinagar, Sandal City, Bengaluru - 560055